Technological knowledge, soft skills and management & leadership skills: three pillars for the digitally competent manager

Abstract The rapid digitalization of organizations necessitates a re-evaluation of managerial competencies to effectively lead virtual and hybrid teams. This paper introduces the concept of Digital Managerial Competencies (DMC), a comprehensive framework delineating the specific skills and knowledge managers require to navigate the digital workplace successfully. Building on the DigComp framework and grounded in a systematic literature review of 48 peer-reviewed studies, the research identifies three core dimensions of DMC: Technological Knowledge, Soft Skills, and Management & Leadership Skills, comprising 18 specific competencies. The study employs inductive content analysis to develop and validate the model, further enriched through focus group feedback with practitioners. The findings contribute to theory by offering a multidimensional, context-dependent understanding of digital managerial effectiveness and practical guidance for developing targeted training programs. The DMC framework provides a valuable tool for scholars and organizations to assess, develop, and leverage managerial competencies in the evolving digital landscape, ultimately enhancing virtual team performance and organizational outcomes.